Description

Attractive AU53 1851 Humbert Fifty Dollar 'Slug'

1851 $50 RE Humbert Fifty Dollar, 880 Thous. AU53 NGC.
Reeded Edge, No 50 on Reverse, K-5, Low R.5. The first Humbert
octagonal "slugs," which are in reality fifty dollar ingots, had a
lettered edge that included the date. The hand-lettering process
was cumbersome and resulted in numerous errors, such as partially
inverted lettering and repunched letters and words. It is a tribute
to Humbert and the other personnel involved in the U.S. Assay
Office that in a remarkably short time they managed to progress
from the first rudimentary hand-lettered pieces to high-speed
production of reeded-edge coins (such as the present piece) on coin
presses that rivaled those of the then-current Philadelphia
Mint.
Like most of these soft and heavy gold coins, this piece shows some
small abrasions from a short stay in circulation, along with a
couple of rim bumps--the octagonal shape made the eight corners
particularly susceptible to contact. While minimally abraded for a
"slug" there are two small planchet voids on the rock that the
eagle is perched upon. Much luster is present over the rich-colored
amber-gold surfaces, with a glint of greenish (likely alloyed
silver) near the date and over the eagle. A nice example of this
historic coinage, listed on page 362 of the 2009 Guide Book. (NGC ID# ANH8, PCGS# 10211)

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